In what could be the storm of the century, Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff warns that the destruction that Hurricane Ike brings could be "catastrophic."
Officials in Texas issued evacuation orders for Galveston and other low lying areas days before Ike's predicted landfall and now residents and businesses await the onslaught as the storm barrels towards the Gulf Coast of the United States.
Video of Michael Chernoff and David Paulison warning about Hurricane Ike
Michael Chernoff said the size and intensity of Ike is likely to cause plenty of damage to the Gulf Coast. FEMA director David Paulison agreed with Chernoff's assessment and stated that the Federal Agency is prepared to aid the victims of the storm with needed supplies before and after Ike's landfall.
This isn't the first time that Galveston has suffered considerable damages and loss of life to a hurricane, on September 8, 1900 a hurricane killed 6,000-8,000 people, mostly as a result of a storm surge. This is the biggest catastrophe on record for the area.
Hopefully 108 years later, the power of media prevents this kind of loss of life from happening again.
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